|
Worship This Week
Please join us
in the Sanctuary
or online at 10am for the
Second Sunday After the Epiphany
Coffee hour will be held
after the service
in Hadley Hall
The service will be live streamed
on Facebook Live here
or on 3CX here
Readers: Debra Sawyer
Coffee Hour Hosts: Kari Allard
| | | |
HCC's newest Confirmation candidates presided over the worship service on Sunday. Joey Siwacki & Julian Malcolm did a wonderful job. Move over, Pastor Paige. You might have some competition. | |
|
HCC Annual Meeting
Our 272nd Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2025 in Hadley Hall following worship. Please attend this vital gathering, as we look back at this past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to God’s call in our congregational life this year. A quorum of members is needed.
The annual report will be e-mailed/mailed to each member family once it is completed.
Please take some time to read the reports and familiarize yourself with the proposed budget for 2025.
Call for Nominations for HCC Officers
HCC Members: One of the key agenda items at our upcoming Annual Meeting is the election of officers for 2025.
The officers include Collector; Treasurer; Auditor; Clerk; and Moderator.
Please prayerfully consider whether you have the time and skills to fill one of these important roles and indicate your interest to me ASAP. Our Bylaws require a 2-week posting period prior to Annual Meeting for the slate of officers.
It’s important that we have representation across our membership and not to continue to rely on the same leadership.
Thanks!
Fred Malcolm, Moderator
| |
Rev Paige's Corner: Inspired by Rev. Dr. King
The writings and life of Rev Dr Martin Luther King have long inspired me and spoken to me about the life of faith. While Dr King is a hero to many – particularly for his advocacy for civil rights, I think for me that fact that this work was deeply grounded in his faith has always made it even more significant for me. I have had the chance to visit the church where Dr King preached (not much bigger than ours when he preached there) and I studied his sermons in seminary and beyond. His public action was deeply rooted in his understanding of scripture and the Christian faith. And even all these years later, his words bear powerful witness to the life of faith. He challenges me to think about what it means to be a pastor.
One of my favorite MLK quotes is this: “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” (From his 1962 speech at the Park-Sheraton Hotel in New York City.) While I find that thought powerful for us as individuals of faith, I also find it very helpful as we think about what it means to be congregations in this day when there are often not easy answers to the challenges we face.
But related to that thought is this one that comes with a sense of determination and grit: "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” (From his April 1960 address at Spelman College.)
As I have been reading Dr King this week, I am struck by the passion of his faith and his belief in the force of God’s love that cannot be overcome. I believe we all need to tap into that power.
Blessings and Peace!
Rev Paige Besse-Rankin
| | | |
|
Wildfire Relief: Call to Prayer and Action
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is actively responding to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles County since January 7, 2025. With nearly 30,000 acres consumed and 180,000 people displaced, these fires represent the largest disaster in the county's history.
In this time of crisis, the UCC's Global HOPE team is collaborating with local conferences and ecumenical partners to provide immediate relief and plan for long-term recovery. Tragically, the Altadena Community Church, United Church of Christ, has been destroyed, underscoring the profound impact on our faith communities.
We invite you to join us in prayer and support. As Rev. Shari Prestemon offers in "A Prayer for Those in the Path of Fire":
"Steadfast God, we watch in horror as fires rage in Southern California, and we pause to raise these humble petitions to you. For all those forced to evacuate, who leave so much that is precious behind and know not what the future holds, surround them with your gentle presence in these hours of tortured worry and waiting."
To read the full prayer and learn how you can contribute to the relief efforts, please visit the UCC's California Wildfires 2025 Appeal page. (https://support.ucc.org/california-wildfires-2025) Your support and prayers are vital in bringing hope and healing to those affected by this disaster.
| |
|
Grow Your Faith at Horton Center and Prepared to Serve!
There are two amazing opportunities offered through the NH Conference UCC to grow and learn!
Coming on February 22 is “Prepared to Serve” – an event with all sorts of workshops, worship, displays, and fellowship. You can see all the workshops and get more information here: https://www.nhcucc.org/events/pts-2025 (Let Rev Paige know if you are going and we will see if we can set up a carpool! It is a great day with something for everyone!) https://www.nhcucc.org/events/pts-2025
Horton Center Summer registration is open now! (Yes it is hard to think about warm days on the mountain with snow on the ground, but it is worth the effort!) Ready, Set, Summer Camp! Sign yourself and your loved ones up for an amazing camp experience at Horton Center this summer. With expanded offerings for all ages and stages, everyone is sure to find something to thrill or chill - whatever you're searching for! Check out the summer schedule here: www.hortoncenter.org/sessions Summer staff and volunteers are also being recruited if you or someone you know is interested.
| |
|
Peace & Justice
A bill that became law from the last legislative session, SB561, is set to help NH patients by streamlining the “prior approval” process for medical services. On January 2 the NH Insurance Department sent a notice to managed care health insurers in the state with new guidelines and timelines effective immediately.
“These updates are designed to address common challenges in obtaining timely authorizations, reducing administrative delays, and fostering clear communication among all parties involved in patient care,” according to the department.
“[They] reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that prior authorization processes do not serve as a barrier to essential healthcare services for Granite Staters,” Commissioner Bettencourt said. “By refining these protocols, we aim to maintain the intended purpose of prior authorization: to prevent premium increases while supporting high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare delivery in our state.”
See the InDepth article for more details, including the timeliness.
| | |
|
Music Corner by Herb Tardiff
Jennifer Wake shares how holiday traditions use music to teach us the foundations of our faith in the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany.
“On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”
Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Jesus and the tree on which he died. Two Turtledoves represent the two parts of the Bible–the Old and New Testaments. Doves are also used to remind us of God’s love for us. Three French Hens represent Faith, Hope, and Love on the third day. They also remind us of the Trinity.
The fourth day is four calling Birds. They remind us of the four Gospels calling out God’s love for us. The fifth day is five gold rings. It represents the first five books of the Old Testament which are called the Torah. This verse is held during the song, which helps us remember that these books are the Bible’s foundation. Six geese a-laying on day six remind us of the six days God worked in the creation story.
Seven swans a-swimming on day seven remind us of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. On the eighth day, we sing about eight maids-a-milking. Maids who did the milking were servants of the people who owned the livestock. These remind us of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12. On the ninth day are nine ladies dancing. This represented the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The tenth day brings ten lords a-leaping, which reminds us of the Ten Commandments. Eleven pipers piping remind us that after Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, only 11 of the original 12 Apostles remained. We learn later, however, that those 11 called Matthais to join them to maintain the representation of the 12 Tribes of Israel. The last day is twelve drummers drumming. There are twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.
| |
|
Saint Anne's Food Pantry
It's a new year and the food pantry has new needs: Au Gratin potatoes, coffee/tea, tuna fish, mayo, cereal (no oatmeal), Hamburger Helper, crackers (Saltines, Ritz, Triscuits), maple syrup, rice pilaf, strawberry jam, pancake mix, Chef Boyardee items, spices, salad dressings and English muffins.
Thank you to everyone who helped out during the holiday season and thank you in advance for any donations.
They are reaching out for some help...donations are needed. They thought they would try an Amazon Wish List in addition to listing items here.
Please no expired items. Non-perishable items only.
Drop off is in the foyer of Hadley Hall.
| |
|
New Hampshire Conference UCC
Weekly News
We thought you might enjoy reading the NH Conference UCC weekly newsletter. You can read it with this link.
1/14/2025 Newsletter
Each week, we will update this section of our Weekly Word with the new link
for the current newsletter.
| |
Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!
| |
|
Help Us Continue Our Mission at HCC | |
Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!
| | | |
|
Our Mailing address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 2 pm
| | |
Hampstead Congregational Church Website
| |
| | | |
